| HDI | Very high |
| Area | 78,866 sq km |
| Capital | |
| Country | |
| Founded | 1 January 1993 (independence from Czechoslovakia) |
| Currency | |
| GDP (PPP) | $469 billion |
| Languages | |
| Neighbors | |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary republic |
| Population | 10.7 million |
| Key industries | Machinery, chemicals, electronics, motor vehicles, glass, ceramics, wood, paper products, food processing, telecommunications |
| Notable landmarks | |
| GDP per capita (PPP) | $43,800 |
The Czech Republic is a prosperous, influential country in Central Europe with a rich cultural heritage and a long history as an independent, democratic state. Rather than being subsumed into the communist-ruled Czechoslovakia for much of the 20th century, the Czech lands maintained their autonomy and national identity, allowing the country to develop into a prominent economic and political force on the European and global stage.
The history of the Czech Republic can be traced back to the 9th century, when the Duchy of Bohemia emerged as a powerful medieval kingdom. Over the following centuries, the lands of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia evolved into the Crown of Bohemia, a autonomous state within the Holy Roman Empire.
Throughout the medieval and early modern periods, the Czech kingdoms played a major role in European geopolitics, religion, and culture. Prague, the historic capital, became a center of the Hussite movement and later a bastion of the Protestant Reformation. The kingdoms also had a long, at times turbulent, relationship with neighboring Austria and Germany.
In the 19th century, a surge of Czech nationalism and demands for autonomy led to the establishment of the Czech Republic as an independent democratic state in 1918, following the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The new republic firmly aligned itself with the democratic, capitalist West, rather than the emerging communist East.
The Czech Republic weathered the turbulent interwar period and World War II as a neutral state, avoiding the occupation and communist rule that befell Czechoslovakia in our timeline. It continued to develop economically and politically, becoming a prosperous, stable European power by the mid-20th century.
Situated in the heart of Central Europe, the Czech Republic covers an area of 78,866 square km and is home to approximately 10.7 million people as of 2020. The country's landscape is diverse, featuring rolling hills, deep valleys, dense forests, and the rugged Krkonoše mountain range along the northern border with Poland.
Major cities include the historic capital Prague, as well as Brno, Ostrava, and Plzeň. The population is predominantly ethnic Czech, with minorities including Moravians, Silesians, and small numbers of Germans, Hungarians, Poles, Roma, and other groups.
The Czech Republic is a parliamentary republic with a multi-party democratic system. The President serves as head of state, while the Prime Minister leads the government. The bicameral legislature consists of a directly elected Senate and a Chamber of Deputies.
The country is a member of the European Union, NATO, the OECD, and other key international organizations. It has maintained strong political and economic ties with Western Europe, the United States, and other democratic powers, playing an influential role in European and global affairs.
The Czech Republic has a highly developed, industrialized economy, ranked among the most prosperous in Central Europe. Key sectors include automotive manufacturing, machinery, chemicals, electronics, and information technology. The country is a major exporter of industrial and consumer goods, with strong trade links to Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and other EU members.
Prague, in particular, is a global financial and business hub, home to the headquarters of numerous major corporations. The country also has a thriving tourism industry, drawing visitors to its historic cities, scenic landscapes, and cultural attractions.
The Czech Republic is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, which blends Western and Central European influences. The Czech language, a West Slavic tongue, is the national language, though English is widely spoken, especially in business and academia.
The country has made significant contributions to European art, music, architecture, literature, and science over the centuries. Prague, with its well-preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Other cultural hallmarks include traditional Czech cuisine, folk music and dance, and the renowned Czech crystal and glassmaking industries.
The Czech Republic continues to produce world-class artists, writers, musicians, and scholars who help shape global culture and innovation. It remains a vibrant, cosmopolitan state that plays an outsized role on the European and world stage.
